Valorization of invasive lignocellulosic species for sustainable nanocellulose production: recent developments and applications

Increasing environmental concerns regarding petroleum-based products have intensified the search for sustainable, biodegradable alternatives. Nanocellulose, derived from lignocellulosic biomass, represents a promising solution due to its high strength, biodegradability, and potential for surface functionalization. This review systematically evaluates recent progress in the production of nanocellulose, particular focus on invasive and fast-growing plant species, and adheres to PRISMA 2020 guidelines to ensure a structured and reproducible literature review. The valorization of underutilized yet abundant cellulose sources, including Eichhornia crassipes, Lantana camara, Ageratum conyzoides, Parthenium hysterophorus, Prosopis juliflora, Chromolaena odorata, Arundo donax, and Imperata cylindrica, etc., is explored. These ecologically disruptive species exhibit variable cellulose content, making them suitable candidates for nanocellulose extraction. Extraction methods such as acid hydrolysis, alkaline treatment, mechanical disintegration, TEMPO-mediated oxidation (2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl), and biological approaches are assessed in terms of yield, crystallinity, and morphological properties. The resulting nanocellulose materials possess tunable physicochemical characteristics suitable for biomedical, packaging, water treatment, and advanced functional material applications. Key challenges related to scalability, environmental impact, and process standardization are identified, and future research directions for sustainable nanocellulose production are discussed. This review underscores the dual advantage of environmental management and value-added material generation through the utilization of invasive and fast-growing plant species. Graphical Abstract